LAS CRUCES — There will be a little shade on the upper deck of the parking garage at Las Cruces City Hall.

That will mean an estimated 15 percent in electricity cost savings to the city.

The City Council unanimously approved a $499,635 contract Tuesday to Lynco Electric Co. Inc. of Las Cruces to install a photovoltaic system (PV) on the parking deck immediately east of City Hall, 700 N. Main St. The shade for the deck's upper level will come from solar collectors mounted on top of beams. The collectors will also double as canopies that will give some shade.

"It's good to see the city is being a little more proactive about renewable energy," said Las Crucen Nancy Graham, an administrative assistant.

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The lack of money is what prevented the city from going forward with the project sooner. The system was incorporated into the initial design of City Hall, which already has a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Eric Martin, city facilities management administrator, said the PV system will be in operation sooner rather than later.

"This project will happen extremely fast. We expect substantial completion by March, at which time we also expect to be attached to the (power) grid system," Martin said.

The project will be paid for from $138,000 remaining from a New Mexico Finance Authority loan the city got to build the deck. The balance will come from city funds budgeted in the facility capital improvement plan,

The PV system will produce 187,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The offset is anticipated to save the city about $586,000 in energy costs during the next 25 years.

"It's very exciting to have this next step," said Councilor Nathan Small, who was credited by council members for working out the details for the PV system installation to go forward.

Also Monday, the council awarded a $210,038 contract to Landscape and Design Center Inc., of Las Cruces, to build the Paseo de Oñate neighborhood park, near east Lohman Avenue. Martin told the council there is a shortage of city parks on the city's East Mesa, and this one is long needed and wanted, especially be residents who live near the new 10-acre park.

"That neighborhood is isolated, and has had no access to a park," said Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Thomas, whose represents the council district where the park will be built. "I'm glad it's moving forward."

Plans for the proposed park include concrete walkways, playground equipment, benches, a shade structure, and landscaping.

Funding to build the park is budgeted through the city's Park Impact Fee Fund.

Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452. Also follow him on Twitter: @SteveRamirez6.

In other council action...

— The council approved amendments to city traffic ordinances aimed at making the city more friendly to bicycle riders.

—On the consent agenda, the council approved salary increases for some police and fire fighters.